May 18, 2017

Mindfulness is about being present;
it focuses on breathing, relaxing, paying attention. In this sense, mindfulness
is becoming a powerful tool to support mental health. This book discusses a
variety of ways that mindfulness benefits kids and their parents, as well as
providing short and easy activities to help parents guide and assist children.

Author, Eline Snel, is a
therapist that has spent the last 20 years working on mindfulness programs for
kids. Snel also draws upon personal experiences raising her own children, and
how mindfulness worked for her situation. In this way, the book is very open
and sharing, providing personal experiences that support the exercises.

The book explains what
mindfulness is in an easy to understand tone. The strategies provided will help
kids to learn to be more calm and focused, fall asleep, manage anger and other
difficult feelings, and become more aware of what’s going on around them. There
is a CD in the book that will help to complete the exercises.

May 08, 2017

When a man by the name of Verbal
is brought in for questioning, he tells an almost unbelievable story. Verbal
recounts the story in flashback, of five criminals who meet in a police line-up
who decide to band together to perform a vengeful heist, which leads them
further into crime.

The Usual Suspects is an
intricate film of intense, sometimes superfluous, editing that reveals a plot
of mystery and revelations. It is part crime, part mystery part film-noir and
relies on plot and post-editing to grip the viewer to the very end.

Full of violent twists, and the
mysterious Keyser Soze, the film requires the viewer to watch closely, almost
demanding it to be watched a second time over. However the acting is fluid, the
plot crafted meticulously and the script witty.

The film won two Academy Awards,
one of which was for ‘Best Original Screenplay’,it also won two BAFTAs for ‘Best Original
Screenplay’ and ‘Best Editing’. The film’s intense editing and intense plot
will keep you on your toes.

The Movie Club will be screening 'The Usual Suspects' on Wednesday 10 May, 6pm sharp at Narellan Library. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided, BYO snacks are more than welcome. Stay after the screening for a short discussion about the film. See the discussion questions to get some ideas.

May 04, 2017

A small book full of big ideas, ‘The
Little Book of Hygge’ is all about finding happiness and cosiness to support
your wellbeing. Hygge is a Danish term that roughly means to create an
atmosphere or sense of cosiness.

‘You know hygge when you feel it.
It is when you are cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one, or sharing comfort
food with your closest friends. It is those crisp blue mornings when the light
through your window is just right’ (‘The Little Book of Hygge’, Meik Wiking).

Author, Meik Wiking, is CEO of
the Happiness Research Institute in Denmark, which is commonly known as the
happiest country in the world. In his book, Meik shares the knowledge he has
learnt about happiness. He believes the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ is the key to
leading a happier life.

Full of interesting facts,
including a Hygge Manifesto, the book covers everything from using lighting to
create a more ‘hyggelig’ atmosphere, to the importance of hot drinks and
pillows. However, it also discusses the integral role of family and friends and
securing a good work/life balance.